Discovery of Oncogenes and Tumor Suppressor Genes

Mid-19th Century

Cancer research made great progress through microscopic observation by cellular pathologists such as Virchow.

1911

Discovery of the Oncogene (Rous)

Based on research on chicken sarcoma, Rous proposed the cancer virus theory, but it was ignored for many years.

1966

Fifty-five years after his discovery, Rous received the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine (at age 87, the oldest recipient on record).

1970s

With the development of genetic engineering, it became clear that the virus contained oncogenes.

1976

Bishop and his colleagues discovered that the oncogene found in chickens exists in all cells, including those of humans.

1928

Discovery of the Tumor Suppressor Gene (Gordon)

This discovery originated from research on tropical fish.